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Offense

Get right to it

The Chargers play more dime personnel than anybody in football, so this will be an interesting test in wills. Albeit not at the same level, but like the Ravens, the Chargers have been able to play the run well enough in lighter fronts to stay in them. In Week 14 they faced a Bengals team with a mobile QB and a good running back and Joe Mixon gashed them for 111 yards on 26 carries, nearly pulling off the upset…but despite that, they stayed true to what they’ve done and played predominately with six defensive backs.

Speaking of Melvin Ingram…

He’ll play with a hand in the dirt, standing up, dropping in coverage, rushing from the interior…pretty much anywhere. He’s got game-wrecking ability and the Ravens need to know where he is at all times.

With the weather being what it was and the Bucs’ lack of pass rush I understood the Ravens deactivating Ty Montgomery but on the strength of Ingram and Bosa alone, he needs to be active in this one.

A steady dose of motion

The Chargers will stand a lot of people up at the line of scrimmage and attempt to confuse Lamar as to who’s coming, who isn’t, the coverage behind it, etc. Going into his sixth NFL start, it would be too much to ask of him to diagnose all of this pre-snap with a great deal of success. Using motion would help him better decipher what look he’s facing while creating concepts to overload some of the Chargers zones.

Even if they force them into heavier fronts more often, he still stands to face plenty of five- and six-defensive back looks. The Chargers have a very talented back seven pass defense with two stud pass rushers.

The Ravens will need to give Lamar all the help they can.

Defense

Fade Alert

This key is for Mike Williams specifically. He has exceptional body control, timing and strong hands. Even when you know it’s coming, Philip Rivers is always looking to give Williams a chance to win in 50-50 situations. Unlike the Chiefs trio of midget slot receivers (sorry, a little salty because my opponent had Williams in fantasy), the Ravens have size at the position and they usually do a good job at the catch point.

This matchup however still offers a steep challenge. They’ll need to value the deflection over the interception and work through the receiver’s hands because Williams has the talent, even with good defense, to make a highlight-reel play.

Varying safety looks pre-snap

The Chargers run game and Keenan Allen set the table for the offense. Around them, they have talented shot players like Tyrell Williams, Travis Benjamin and Mike Williams. They don’t simply run, run, play-action nine route you either. They’ll utilize deep crossers and posts, end around’s, etc. If you telegraph that you’re in a split safety Cover 2 look, Rivers is going right down the seam on you. That is particularly worrisome with this duo’s lack of range. Disguise will be important.

It’s not like you’re going to trick him much in year 15, but you want to limit just how empowered he is pre-snap.

Ekeler’s reverting role

Austin Ekeler was one of the NFL’s most productive players per touch this season but sort of bombed in the lead role with Melvin Gordon out. With Gordon’s return imminent I’d expect the Chargers emphasize putting Ekeler predominately in space via outside runs, swing passes, screens, etc. Because of how good the Chargers have run the football this year I don’t think we see a lot of dime in this game which will lessen Anthony Levine’s role in defending the short to intermediate parts of the field.

The Ravens will need a big game from Kenny Young as he’s really the only other front seven guy that can match up with these backs. Ekeler’s availability for Saturday’s game is still up in the air, but even if he doesn’t play, rookie Justin Jackson offers a lot of the same dynamic.

Matchup to watch

Tavon Young vs Keenan Allen

Keenan Allen spends half of his snaps in the slot so while he’ll likely draw Marlon Humphrey when he’s out wide, he’ll face Tavon Young more often. Allen wins with his size versus smaller defenders but his biggest trump card is his suddenness and route-running ability. Young will need to be sound and not be rocked to sleep with Allen’s head fakes and crisp footwork.

The Ravens have the run defense to combat Gordon and company but how well they defend Allen will go a long way in determining whether they can pull off the Saturday night upset.

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About Carey Stevenson

Carey is a driven sports enthusiast from Norfolk, Virginia. He's looked upon by all his friends and family as an advisor, provider of on the spot scouting reports and the occasional dusting off of the old crystal ball. He is a loyal and devoted Ravens fan that spends countless hours in his war room/bedroom going over tape, scouting reports and potential free agents as if he's actually the one making draft and game day decisions. He's a sports management major that looks forward to the day that he may actually be called upon to make some of the decisions he analyzes as if life depended on it. He is a critical yet rational thinker that is always in search of more knowledge about the game. More from Carey Stevenson

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Lombardi’s Way - A column from the 24×7 founder that focuses on the Ravens, the NFL, Baltimore, the world of sports or life’s inspirations.

Word on The Street - In the spirit of the CBS Sports Minute with Boomer Esiason, RSR brings you Word on The Street, a 90 second (or less) podcast on topics exclusively relating to the Baltimore Ravens.

Ravens Links - We’ll give you the best stories about the Ravens from around the web three times per week.

The Fanimal - If you are an animal about the Baltimore Ravens, then you are a Fanimal! Follow the Russell Street Report blog Fanimal Crackers!

The Edgar Awards - The Edgar Awards will range from the Maryland county that is home to the best Ravens fans to the best Ravens podcast; from the best collection of displaced fans to the best local craft brews that should be part of your next tailgating party.

The Road to RSR - Our writers explains their journeys as fans and how they came to write for our little corner of sports media.